Turn old CMS into park

So after having to look at the old Camden Middle School (CMS) property on Laurens Street for a couple of years, it is finally torn down. At least two plans were brought forth to build upscale houses there and add to the neighborhood, but those ideas were shot down by the residents.

So what to do with it? How about this: make it into a park. That intersection is already surrounded by lovely parks that offer education and a quiet setting for picnics and other family fun. Why not continue that and turn that large vacant lot into a beautiful, functional park. There could be a wide open grassy area for families to play on, picnic tables, even a covered picnic shelter. There is also room for a small amphitheater. I am sure the Camden Community band would like to have a great place for their concerts. Perhaps even a small skateboard park, giving the young people who enjoy such activity a place to play instead of going to parking lots. There could even be a walking track around the perimeter. Plant a few more trees there as well.

It is close enough to downtown that tourists, real tourists, could come and have a nice place to rest while they enjoyed our shops and restaurants. I went to high school there for two years before moving over to the Ehrenclou Dr campus, and it is a sad sight. It would be nice to make it into something that the entire town can enjoy.